What does "labor" mean?
Alternative spelling of labour.
Labor
/ˈleɪ.bɚ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Alternative spelling of labour.
- Grammar: labor is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: toil, ability to work, accouchement, activities.
- Useful contrasts: recreational activity, the rest, amusements.
- Usage evidence: Mechanical power took the place of manual labor.
How to use "labor"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "labor" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "labor" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "labor" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "labor" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "labor" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "toil" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "labor", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Alternative spelling of labour. US, alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable
- 2 productive work (especially physical work done for wages) wordnet
- 3 any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted wordnet
- 4 the federal department responsible for promoting the working conditions of wage earners in the United States; created in 1913 wordnet
- 5 a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages wordnet
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a political party formed in Great Britain in 1900; characterized by the promotion of labor's interests and formerly the socialization of key industries wordnet
- 7 an organized attempt by workers to improve their status by united action (particularly via labor unions) or the leaders of this movement wordnet
- 8 concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child wordnet
Verb
- 1 Alternative spelling of labour. US, alt-of, alternative
- 2 undergo the efforts of childbirth wordnet
- 3 strive and make an effort to reach a goal wordnet
- 4 work hard wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 The Australian Labor Party. Australian, informal
"Nevertheless there is a distinct difference of emphasis, in the sense just indicated, between the two sides of Australian politics. There has always been some international isolationism, too, in Labor circles in Australia."
- 2 A surname from French.
- 3 Misspelling of Labour, a UK political party. UK, US, alt-of, misspelling
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Mechanical power took the place of manual labor."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "labor"?
Common synonyms include: toil, ability to work, accouchement, activities, activity, affair.
How do you use "labor" in a sentence?
Mechanical power took the place of manual labor.
How do you pronounce "labor"?
Pronounced /ˈleɪ.bɚ/.
Etymology
Variant of Labarre.